In Valheim’s case, the title is still quite new, so several quality of life improvements could be made. Its vast audience works tirelessly on platforms like Nexus Mods to improve the game. Thanks to the work of these modders, a picture of what a more complete Valheim might look like can be found. Much of the content in these mods could arrive in some form to the game in future updates. However, a lot of these elements are not in the Valheim content roadmap, and shine a light on how an already great game could be improved.
RELATED: What Valheim’s Content Roadmap Tells Us About the Game’s Future
Some areas radically improved by mods include the game’s inventory system, visual updates, the building system, and even cookery mechanics. Once a player figures out how to install mods in Valheim, the game can become radically different. The frustrating lack of inventory sorting vanishes thanks to mods, and some mob trophies can be turned into delicious meals. Content mods like those are great, but pale in comparison to the utility of other overhaul mods. Some modifications change quest systems, and can even automate item production. If players are looking for a slightly more polished experience in Valheim, mods could be the way to go. When the most popular mods are free, and some even work in online multiplayer, they make for compelling additions to the game.
Valheim Needs Its Inventory System Fixed
Since launch, Valheim players have wanted a more efficient inventory system. As it currently stands, the inventory slots are incredibly limited. Equipment and other central items take up item slots, which are already noticeably in short supply. The Valheim inventory mod makes very particular changes to these problems. Firstly, it decouples “equipment” from the regular item slots, allowing for those precious spaces to house other resources. There is also a helpful addition of a “key items” mechanic, where commonly used items are assigned hotkeys. These key items also sit outside of the main inventory, freeing up so much space for Norse explorers.
The 108.3 thousand downloads of the mod speak to exactly how needed an inventory overhaul is in Valheim. Listed as “Equipment and Quick Slots” by user “RandyKnapp” on Nexus Mods, it peaked at a high of nearly five thousands downloads in one day during March of 2021. In fact, it is not the only popular inventory mod for the game. Unlike the comprehensive Valheim texture mod, the “MoreSlots” mod for the title somewhat breaks the original balance of the game. This particular mod adds several more slots to fill with items. When coupled with the “Simple Sorting” mod, keeping items in order becomes much easier. Any of these mods could be an excellent addition
The Valheim Plus Adds Better Building
Valheim Plus makes many incredibly useful changes to the game’s building mechanics. Even without any modifications, Valheim’s building mechanics are something its fanbase adores. Some of the best buildings in Valheim are truly impressive to behold, with passionate gamers constructing everything from Warcraft’s Northrend to the entirety of Tamriel. Some of these grander constructions are only possible through adding mods into the game. Vanilla Valheim buildings can look utterly incredible, but the more ambitious creations cannot be realized with the standard construction mechanics.
RELATED: Most Impressive Valheim Constructions So Far
Valheim Plus, one of the many incredible mods out there now, switches up the customization options for building. Users of the mod get more articulation points for placing materials. Furthermore, their choices with altering a previous placed construction amounts to more than just breaking it and trying again. The mod does have some general quality-of-life improvements, including player/entity stat adjustment options - but the main draw is the more precise building.
Central elements of the construction mechanics that get a thorough overhaul generally make everything more efficient. For example, players can modify the speed that different workstations operate at. Furthermore, building restrictions are removed, as are any deterioration effects from weather (which can often make player buildings look much worse).
Valheim’s Food Gets A Delicious Mod Upgrade
The health and stamina buffs that food items in the game provide make them an integral part of the game’s mechanics. However, for such an important mechanic, the food types are somewhat limited in the base game. The best food in Valheim includes recipes like Serpent Stew and Sausages, but the ones added in the Valheim Master Chef mod are even more exciting. Included in this mod are sandwiches, blood sausages, and even an omelette using Dragon Eggs.
The theme with some of this game’s most popular mods is efficiency. While there are many great new meals for players to enjoy in this mod, its real innovation is incorporating animal trophies into meals. One of the biggest problems with Valheim’s loot system is just how many trophies players collect throughout the game. The abundance of trophies is contrasted with a much smaller amount of useful items that can be crafted with those trophies (aside from specific weapon). Incorporating them into food recipes would be a fantastic move for the Iron Gate when considering new Valheim changes.
Two Big Martial Arts Mods Show Valheim Players Want Melee Combat
The first skill that a player is likely to level up in Valheim is their punching ability. After an aggressive greyling is quickly dispatched with nothing but Viking fists, it might seem like fist-fighting combat will be very important in the game. Unfortunately, that is not the case. While there are some amazing weapons in Valheim, fisticuffs are not included as a viable combat method. However, several modders have added some brilliant close quarters hand-to-hand fighting mechanics.
For those looking to spartan kick a troll, well, the Valheim kicking mod does just that. Unlike even sillier fighting mods like the “One-Punch Man” mod, this kicking mod keys into the skills mechanic in game. Players can level up this ability like others in the game, and the kick does extra damage and knockback to stunned enemies. Furthermore, wearing heavy foot armor like Iron Greaves makes the kick even more potent. So, if the developer of Valheim wants to upgrade its combat mechanics, fleshing out the hand-to-hand options would be a great way to go.
Valheim is available on PC.
MORE: Valheim’s Most Impressive Mods to Date
